The Darmstädter Tage der Fotografie exhibition intends to steer the gaze onto this essential core of photography and are looking for images that convey these qualities too, in an independent, individual form. Images that retain awareness of the original force of photography and develop it in a contemporary manner.

All photographers and artists working with the medium of photography, design-students with the emphasis on photography at their university, university of applied sciences, college or school of arts as well as photo-assistants are accepted to participate. All categories of photography are admitted and can hand in as single artwork or in themselves closed artworks/series. An independent, contemporary position should be recognizable.

The jury nominates three works from the approximately thirty chosen participants of the supporting program at the beginning of the year. The Merck Award for the Darmstädter Tage der Fotografie is awarded to the best presented work that is closely linked to the theme and wins 7000 € . The other two nominees will receive 1500 € each.

The festival is a non-profit organisation (e.V.). The organisers operate between exhibition spaces and the artist and are responsible for public relations, as well as the realisation of the exhibition catalogue and organisation of the festival program.

The chosen participants for the supporting program of the Darmstädter Tage der Fotografie 2018 accept mandatory participation in the exhibition, as well as organising and financing the transportation of their works. Pre-press files for the catalogue article have to be provided.